Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The RO granted service connection for right knee arthritis on April 7, 2004.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension began in service and has been continuously present since then. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, was initially demonstrated many years after service and is not shown to be causally related to his active service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and osteoarthritis of the left thumb are not shown to be causally related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and right ankle disabilities, as well as their impact on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling an examination and considering whether TDIU is appropriate on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore, an extraschedular evaluation is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hand disability and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back disability is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint with limitation of flexion, left ring finger was rated at 20 percent prior to May 3, 2010. From May 3, 2010 onwards, a higher evaluation is not available by operation of law as it has been rated at the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue is now on remand for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for moderate osteoarthritis of the right wrist and a residual scar from a laceration in the right hand. The claim for other disorders, including strain, is denied due to lack of medical nexus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and adjudicating the TDIU claim. The issues of rating excess disability for left internal malleolus fracture and right knee osteoarthritis with scars are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are granted with an effective date of July 20, 2006.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating. The case is now remanded to determine if an even higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound examination to determine if the Veteran's requirement for regular aid and attendance is related to his service-connected disability. The appeal will be further adjudicated after this examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left hip osteoarthritis is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left femur disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the left knee and right shoulder disability ratings are addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right shoulder with a scar, claimed as a right arm condition, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation during service and there is no probative evidence indicating arthritis onset within one year of separation from service.